Febdinand s



(No Model.)

N. s. BARTRAM'. FOUNTAIN NNN AND HOLDEN;`

Patented Mar. 2.7, 1888.

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UNITED 1 STATES-f PATENT OFFICE.

FERDINAND s. EAETEAM, 0E NEW vonk, N. Y.

FOUNTAIN PENVAND HOLDER.

srncrrcarroiv forming bart of Letters Patent vNo.r':sao, o14 dated March 27, 1888. j

. Atpncation niet Janumyeo, 1881.. 'seria1No;224,nso. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FERDINAND S. BAR- TRAM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New? York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fount- 'ain-Pens and Fountain-Holders, of which the following is aspeciflcation.

My invention pertains to that class of fountain-pens having a tubular or hollow case closed at its upper end, which may be charged with ink at its lower or open end, or at a joint in said case near its lower end, providing for the admission of air only at the lower or open end of said tubular case.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

the ink-conductor b when used without the regulator c. Fig. 3 is a lateral view of the inkcsnductor b when used without the regulator c, or vent g, or rests e e. Fig. 4 is a bisected longitudinal view ofthe ink-conductor b, showing the central perforation, h, for the conveyance of ink through the body of the same, and

also one or more capillary channels, which may be constructed upon the inner surfaces of the lips f f, vto which further reference will be made. Fig. 5 is a detached lateral view of the regulator. Fig. 6 is a transverse view of the inkconductor b in Fig. 1. Fig. Z represents the cap or cover, which is adjusted upon the shoulders at eitherendof the case or tube and protects the pen when carried in the pocket.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding 'parts inall lthe figures where they occur.

Letter a indicates the case and reservoir, which may be constructed of hard rubber or other analogous material, of tubular form, and

closed at its upper end, as previously described. It may be integral in form, or may have a j oint or section connected by screw-threads near its lower end, for purposes of refilling, Src. When the case is composed of a single tube, the res-- ervoir'is charged at the open end by withdrawing the pen and ink-conductor together or separately. Y

v Letter b represents the ink-conductor', which Figure 1 shows the pen complete in all itsy is constructed of hard rubber, or other suitable material, the backward portion of which is a cylindrical plug conformed to and held by friction within the case or tube, and perforated longitudinally at or near its center and about midway of its length, for the purpose of conducting ink from the fount or reservoir. The forward or opposite end of this conductor is reduced or partially pointed and slightly flattened upon two sides to conform it to the shape of a'pen, when itis bisected from said point through the flattened sides suftlcientl y to intersect the perforation h and receive a pen (between its two equally or nearly equally projecting lips thus formed) nearly its entire length. When the pen is inserted between these lips (being prevented from moving sidewise by the diameter of the tube or case) and umn'of ink is divided nearly-equally and flows down simultaneously upon both sides ofthe pen to or near its point.

Letter cis the regulator, which isadjust-A able longitudinally,and serves the purposes of a ventilator and partial or entire cut-off of air to or ink from the fount through either or both the perforations g and h. It is constructed fof a small parallel rod, of hard rubber or other material, inserted loosely within and through the orifice g in the body of the conductor above the pen. To the forward end` of this rod is affixed a short upright lever or button, c', by

which it may be moved forward or backward to regulate the ingress of air to or egress of ink from the fount through the perforations g and h. The backward end of this rod or regulator is enlarged conically, in order that when the rod is drawn forward by the button c the enlargementvwill bedrawn into and close partially or entirely the perforation g. To this .enlargement is attached a short perpendicular bar, pending downward, to which is secured a similar conical plug, which is made, by the same operation, to close in like manner the.

. perforation h, so that the pen may be carried in any position without danger of leaking. I attach much importance to this feature of the invention, as either of the cones may be ar,-

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ranged at different points of contact with the two orifices g and h, and by the Asame Ymovement close the upper lone partially and the other entirely, or vice versa, thus adapting the flow to any of the varying requirements or conditions which air and ink may combine to produce.

Letter d, Fig. 1, represents an ordinary steel metal or gold pen in position. Letters e e are two braces or supports upon either or both surfaces of the lips of the inkconductor, formed by bifurcating the outer surfaces of the same and turning their forks outward or attaching them in any substantial manner, with their ends resting within and against the inner surface of the tube or case, and designed to maintain a pressure and prevent the lips of the ink-conductor from deflecting from their normal position with reference to the pen.

Lettersff are the twolips referred to, which are formed integral with the body of the conductor, but do not extend within nor permit the pen to extend into the reservoir.

Letter g is the upper perforation above the pen, through which the regulator passes loosely and sufficiently to admit air around it to the fount. It extends through the conductor to the button c', where it opens upward through a narrow slot, in which the lever moves, or to which the button is attached. Underneathceive the stop or cone affixed to the regulator- 4 bar, making the connections air-tight when necessary.

rIhe whole is exceedingly simple, practical, and durable; but a cheaper construction may be secured by the use of the conductor, Fig. 3, without the stop or vent perforation or rests hereinbefore described. By filling an ordinary tube with ink, leaving sufficient space to adjust this conductor loosely within the same, and inserting a common pen between its lips, the whole will serve all the ordinary purposes of a fountain-pen.

The operation of this construction requires simply that the fount be charged with ink at the open end, or,when the regulator is used, at the jointed screw-section of the case. When the parts are in proper position, as before described, the pen is ready for instant service.

It is evidentthat various changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the several herein-described parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention; hence I do not wish to limit myself to the rigid or precise construction herein set forth.

The lips of the conductor may be formed longer or shorter, narrower or wider, to adapt them to pens of almost any length, shape, or thickness, and it may be used with or without the rests, or with one upon the upper or under side alone. The body of that' portion of the conductor retained within the case may be longer or shorter, and of varying circumference to adapt it to any tube used for the purpose. When used without the regulator, the vent-perforation may or may not be omitted, andwhen omitted sufficient air will pass upward between the inner surface of the tube and outer surface of the conductor for ordinary purposes. The inner surfaces of the lips of the conductor may be flat, concaved, convexed, grooved, or scarified, as shown inAFig. 4to facilitate, if -necessary, the flow from the points of contact with the pen. The conductor may be constructed of solid, tubular, or bisected material, and the parts joined subsequently,as a means of facilitating and cheapening its construction.

I have hereinbefore described this inven- `tion with reference to its adaptation to the use of ordinary pens or writing-nibs inserted between the lips of the conductor. I now desire to explain the manner of its use for a similar purpose without the employment of such pens or any pen, and when adapted to such capacities I have termed it a styloid. When the fount is charged with ink and the conductor inserted without a pen, the lips of the conductor, which may preferably be slightly bent inward at the point, act in conjunction, and serve all the purposes of a pen, the ink being conveyed down upon both inner surfaces, and held between them until released by their elastic combined action, produced by pressing the points of either upon the .paper or any other substance, as in the ordinary act of writing. This is one of the most important features of the invention. Again, when held in such manner that both lips may rest upon the IOO paper equally and be moved in any direction, it operates as a perfect ruling device, making a free, continuous, anduniforln line as longas any ink remains in the reservoir. Its value for such uses is incalculable. It may be adapted to various other purposes, such as a. fount for the application of mucilage, or as a marking device for commercial uses, thus dispensing with the antiquated pot and brush, or a brush, or sponge, or other absorbent may be inserted'between the lips of the conductor for this or other purposes where a limited, continuous, or intermittent supply of almost any fluid may be required to be conveyed or transmitted to locations inaccessible to or by other methods in medical, surgical, or other practices or uses.

Either or both the perforations g and h of the conductor may b e employed for any of its purposes, and the stop, vent, or rests, hereinbefore described--either or all--may be used or omitted. The points of the lips of the conductor may be formed for writing, sketching, shading, drawing, or ruling any required width, and when worn are easily replaced, or may be pointed or mounted with or constructed of any durable material. The points or flattened edges of the lips of the conductor may IIO 'IIS

bev serrated partially by one or more transverse incisions without detriment to their vaj rious functions, when it operates as a perfect shading-pen.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a fountain-pen, an ink-,conductor consisting of a plug, of hardl rubber or other suitable material, inserted or adjusted partially within the open end of a tube-case orreservoir and independent of the outer section thereof, said plug being provided with a lon gitudinal perforation communicating with the reservoir and pen, and having its lower or exposed end reduced, tapered, or pointed, and also bisected longitudinally from its pointed end backward to form two projecting lips or arms a portion of its length, between which lips or arms a pen may be inserted, said pen being partly within the case, but wholly without the reservoir, for the purpose of controlling theow of ink to the pen by intersecting the perforation in said plug and dividing and conducting the flow simultaneously down both upper and under surfaces of the pen from its heel to or near the point.

2. In a fountain-pen, a regulator or stop consisting of a movable and adjustable horizontal bar arranged within a perforated feed plug yor bar communicating with'the reservoir and pen, having its backward end enlarged or conveXed to form a stop, designed to open,'graduate, or close said perforation, and thereby regulate or control the ingress of air to and the egress of ink from the reservoir or tube to the pen.

3. In a fountain-pen, a regulator or stop consisting of a movable and adjustable horizontal bar arranged within a cylindrical feed plug or tube xed within the open end of the case or reservoir, and communicating with the reservoir and pen by means of one or'more longitudinalperforations, said bar having one or more enlargements or convexed stops formed or affixed to its base, adjusted and fitted to `enter acorresponding seater seats ,within said perforations, and designed toA equalize yand control by proper adjustment the concurrentA natural forces of the air and ink for the successful operation of the fountain and pen.

4. In a fountain-pen, one or more braces or rests -upon a feeding tube orbar, consisting of one or more prongs formed by bifurcating the surface of .'saidbar, or aftixing them to ,said

bar, and having theirdetached ends formed to rest within and against the inner surface of the tube or case, for 'the purpose of supporting the bar within the tube and strengthening the points of saidbar or feeding device.

5. rlhe fountain-pen herein described,` con` sisting of the combination of the case a and pen d with the ink-conductor b, havingthe regulator c, all constructed and arranged for joint operation, substantially as and for the ward end reduced bytapering or partially e pointing the same, saidl pointed end being bisected longitudinally and centrally, or nearly equally, to form two lips,one being over, above,

,or opposite the other, and which inner surfaces face each other, the space between said v lips communicating with the said perforation, and all constructed and arranged for joint operation, substantially as hereinbefore described.

Signed at NewYork city, in the county of New YorkA and State of New York, this 19th day of January, A. D. 1887.

FERDINAND S. BARTRABLI Witnesses:

' CRAs. B. BARTRAM,

J. WRE'ATH. 

